Why So Serious? Dark Knight

I have finally seen a movie that places hand in hand the thrill of car chases, loud guns, and great special effects with that of a finely tuned script. Imagine that! Usually summer blockbusters are seriously lacking in anything resembling a plot line. It was good to sit enthralled in a movie theater again.

Heath Ledger absolutely walked away with this entire movie in a tightly clad black glove. What an incredible character, so deeply deeply wrong on many levels. The Joker is an instant classic villain not to be topped for some time to come. What a sad thought it is that we won't be able to enjoy an encore performance due to the quick demise of Heath Ledger. He'll be missed for his talent.

My First Photo Shoot

Official one that is. A photo shoot I choose the location, secured a model and asked her to wear her favorite color, prepared some possible poses and props, and brought my equipment with me.

Christine is such an awesome friend that she didn't hesitate at all when I brought up the idea of a possible shoot. If anything she thought it would be fun. (YAY!)

We went over to the Forum in Norcross for lunch of sushi and pad thai and then I showered her with gifts. I found her favorite flowers (gerber daisies) in her favorite color (orange). I had her pick out her favorite classic novel to peruse. And I bought a French style cup and saucer for one of my poses. She was happy with everything I had in mind.

I set up in this little area outside the Williamas Sonoma store that looks like a French bistro with tables and such. I had my tripod set up and used both lenses to get some different angles. I also brought along my handy dandy exposure rulers straight from my OHShoot! Photography class with Candice Stringham on the JessicaSprague.com site. That way I can play around with the aperature for some more creative shots.

We were going along just fine, getting some fun poses. I was so excited that I forgot to keep checking the viewscreen. I messed up all of the photos by the fountain. Too bad, though. They would have been great.

Here are three good shots that I managed to get:

that was all until the SECURITY descends upon us! Apparently someone called our 'suspicious activities' in. So the golfcarts came racing to curtail our evil doings.

I was almost done with my ideas, so I was all "Okay, we're leaving. Thank you kindly."

Christine was ready and raring for a fight! But she managed to hold it in and we packed up. Sigh. It would have been a perfect day had we not been thrown out.

After I got home I did some googling for 'photography laws' and found a site that stated we had every right to take photos since we were on 'public access areas'. Not quite sure what I would have done with this information, but it will be good to have under my belt for next time.

Otherwise I will miss more shots like this:

Trip of a Lifetime

I went to Hawaii. I accomplished a lot on this trip. Did things I never thought I would do. Had the best time. In short I conquered Air, Land, and Sea all in twelve days.

There's nothing like plunging into the blue depths and coming face to face with a 20 foot tiger shark, only a piece of plexiglass separating you two.

Or walking up to watch the earth recreate itself not 600 feet away from you. Watching lava spew out into the ocean and admire the plumes of smoke as it rises into the sky.

Or taking the controls of a motorized hang glider as you soar peacefully over the earth.

How will I ever top this adventure? Well, it will sure be fun to try!

Here are some shots I managed to get while on the islands: